United Airlines today announced Jake Cefolia has been promoted to senior vice president of Worldwide Sales. A veteran sales leader, he will be responsible for directing the efforts of a team of 725 sales professionals who manage sales programs, services, relationships and revenue with corporations, travel management companies and distributors around the world.
Cefolia has been with United since 2007, most recently serving as vice president of Sales for the Americas. In this role, he oversaw sales for the United States, Canada and Latin America as well as the Global Accounts Division. He has also served as vice president of Atlantic and Pacific Sales, as managing director of the Global Accounts Division and as managing director for United’s Pacific region, based in Hong Kong. Before joining United, he held various sales leadership roles at Northwest Airlines and British Airways.
Cefolia will report to Scott Kirby, president of United, and begins his new role today. He succeeds Dave Hilfman, who announced earlier this year his plans to retire. Hilfman will continue to serve in an advisory capacity through the end of 2018.
“During his more than 35 years in the industry, Dave has established a legacy for his commitment to customers and colleagues, and we’re fortunate to have had him on the United team,” said Kirby. “In Jake, we have a leader with a proven ability to develop meaningful relationships with corporate and travel agency customers around the globe and to motivate and equip the Sales team to deliver outstanding results as they have done this year. Sales is a critical department helping to fuel our growth, with corporate revenues up double digits year-over-year, and with Jake at the helm, United is well positioned to continue to find opportunities to better meet the needs of today’s corporate traveler.”
“It’s an honor for me to build on the already strong foundation established by my predecessor and friend, Dave Hilfman,” said Cefolia. “I look forward to evolving our offerings for both new and loyal corporate and travel agency clients of all sizes, simplifying the travel management process and enhancing the tools and technology we provide.”
Cefolia graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in management.
